Ore separating apparatus



May 9, 1944. J. F. KELLERMAN ORE SEPARATI'NG APPARATUS FiledJan. 4, 194i3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JoZ'nF/feZZer/na/z May 9, 1944. J. F. KELLERMAN I ORESEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4. 1941 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUAN/HM y1944- J. -F. KELLERMAN QRE SEPARATING APPARATUS s Shets-Sheet 3 FiledJan. 4, 1941 I I W Patented May 9, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlC2,348,479 01m sarm'rmo .u-raaa'rus John F. Kellprman, Fort Lupton,Colo., assignor of one-fourth to Lee Combs and one-fourth to BenRoberts, both of Fort Lupton, Colo.

Application Janu'ary 4, 1941, Serial No. 373,170

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an ore separating apparatus and has relationmore particularly to an apparatus of this kind especially designed andadapted for use in separating gold or other heavy metals from dirt,sand, gravel, or crushed ore.

It is primarily an object of the invention to provide an apparatus ofthis kind for use in the recovery of very fine or flour gold or otherheavy metals.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this kindwhich includes a plurality of pans superimposed one above the other andconnected and mounted in a manner to be reciprocated as a unit, andwherein said pans successively discharge the concentrates one upon theother together with means whereby the inclination of each ,of the pansin the direction of flow therealong may be varied as desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of thiskind embodying a plurality of reciprocating pans supported one above theother, together with means carried by the uppermost pan into "which theore is initially deposited whereby water is distributed in substantiallyan even stream thereacross.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved oreseparating apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attainedand the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise moreconvenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fullyset forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan. of a separating apparatus constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken through the upperpan on substantially theline22ofFigure1;

Figure 3 is a sectionalview taken through the upper portion of theapparatus and on substantially the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and particularlyillustrating the pivotal mounting for the guide rods for the top pan andupon which a series -o f pans are supported for unitary reciprocation;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view in rear end elevation of the apparatus as hereindisclosed;

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of the device as herein embodied;

Figure 7 is a detail fragmentary sectional view taken substantially onthe line 1-1 of Figure 4.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, F denotes the framework ofthe apparatus as herein embodied and which framework comprises theupstanding comer postsof desired height and which, as herein disclosed,constitute angle irons. These posts support a top frame T comprising theelongated side members 2 and the end cross members 3. Thesemembers 2 and3 also preferably constitute angle irons and have their adjacent endportions welded or otherwise connected and this frame T is riveted, asat 4, or otherwise securely anchored to the upper ends of the posts I.It is to be stated at this time that the manner of forming the top frameT forms no particular part of the present invention.

The lower end portions of the posts I are connected and braced by thebottom side members 5 and the bottom transverse members 6.

The posts I at one end of the framework F and the adjacent cross member3 of the top frame T have riveted, as at l, or otherwise securelyfastened thereto the upstanding angle irons 8. The upper ends of thesearms 8 have interposed therebetween and suitably secured thereto thetransversely disposed angle member 9. Welded or otherwise securely fixedto the central portion of this member 9 is the inner marginal portion ofan outwardly disposed table In, The outer marginal portion of this tableIII has secured as at H, the upper end portions of the supportingmembers l5. These members 15 are of a desired length and disposeddownwardly and inwardly with their lower end portions anchored, as atIt, to a cross member I] interposed between and secured to the lowerportions of the adjacent posts I.

Anchored, as at l8, to the table It] is a block l9 provided with theupstanding bearing members 20 suitably spaced apart in a directiontransversely of the framework F. Rotatably supported, by these bearingmembers 20 is a shaft 2| having a crank 22 interposed between themembers 20. This shaft 2| has fixed thereto a pulley 23 adapted to becoupled to a suitable source upstanding bracket arms 25 is acrossmember21. This member 21 is of a length to have its end portions overlie. thebracket arms 25. Disposed through these overlying portions of the member'21 and through the slots 26 are the headed members or bolts 29-.onwhich thread the holding nuts 29. These bolts 28 and nuts 29 coact in awell known manner with the end portions of the member 21 and bracketarms 25 to hold the member 21 in a desired or selected position alongthe slots 26. The member 21 at a point between the side members 2 of theframe T have clamped thereto, as at 30, end portions of the elongatedparallel guide rods 3|. These guide rods'are spaced apart as desired andthe opposite or forward end portions thereof are suitably secured orclamped to the end portions of a cross member 32.- The extremities ofthis member 32 are provided with the outstanding trunnions 33 whichrotatably engage through the bearing members 34 mounted upon the sidemembers 2 of the top frame T. The trunnions 33 and coacting bearingmembers 34 allow for the desired swing-ing of the guide rods 3| as theposition of the cross member 21 is varied along the slots 26.

Slidably mounted upon the rods 3| are the guid members 35 depending fromthe opposite end portions of a top'pan X and at opposite sides thereof.This mounting of the pan X permits the same'to reciprocate on the rods3| under the action of the pitman or connecting rod 36 operativelyconnected with the crank 22 of the shaft 2| and also operativelyconnected, as at 31, with an end of the pan X.

The pan X, as herein disclosed, is disposed on a forward and downwardincline determined by the adjustment of the rods 3| along the arms 25.The lower or forward bottom portion 38 of the pan X is slightly raisedabove the main bottom member 39 of the pan whereby is provided a slightspace or slot 40 extending entirely across the pan X. The bottom portion36 is of a length to extend beyond the forward end of the framework Fand the outer or forward part of this portion 38 is downwardly disposedto provide a discharge chute 4| discharging within a waste hopper 42suitably secured to the front end of the framework F. This hopper 42 hasleading therefrom a depending discharge spout 43 deliv- "ering onto atransversely disposed and down-' wardly inclined waste chute 44discharging to one side of the framework F. The pan X at its rear orupper end portion is provided thereacross with the vertically disposedpartition or plate 45 which, as herein disclosed, extends from the topof the pan X to a point spaced slightly above the bottom 39 of the panXto provide a discharge slot 46 extending across the bottom of the pan Xand immediately adjacent to said bottom 39.

This partition or plate 45 coacts with the adjacent end wall 41 of thepan X to provide a water box 48. Extending up within this box 48 throughthe bottom wall 39 and terminating at a desired distance above saidbottom wal1 39 is a supply pipe 49. The lower end portion of this pipe49 has coupled thereto in a conventional manner an end portion of aflexible hose or conduit 59 which isalso suitably coupled to a pipe line5| leading from a suitable source of water supply with such supply undera. pressure suflicient to be delivered through the pipe 49 into thewater box 48. The water within the box 48 passes outwardly out throughthe slot 46 and downwardly over the main bottom 39 of the pan X, saidslot 46 assuring such stream of water being evenly distributed acrossthe bottom 39.

The value bearing material, such as dirt, sand, gravel, or crushed ore,is deposited in any manner preferred within the pan X at the upper orrear end portion thereof and the water stream flowing down the pan Xcarries such value bearing material downwardly and as a result of thereciprocation of the pan X the heavy metal, such as gold, will drop tothe bottom of the pan and will pass out through the slot 40 while thelighter material will pass over the bottom portion 36 and be dischargedwithin the waste hopper 42.

Depending from adjacent portions of the main bottom 39 and the bottomportion 38 is a transversely disposed hopper 52 with which the space orslot 49 communicates. This hopper 52 serves to deliver the value bearingmaterial received therein through the space or slot 40 upon the upper orforward end portion of a downwardly and rearwardly inclined pan Y. Theupper or forward end portion of this pan Y is closed by an end wall 53and this end wall 53 is hingedly connected, as at 54, from below withthe bottom portion 36 of the pan X. This hinge connection 54 permits theinclination of the pan Y to be slightly varied. The pan X is maintainedin its desired inclined adjustment by the arms 55 depending fromopposite sides of the pan Y at the rear or upper portion thereof. Thelower portion of each of these arms 55 extends across a side of the panY and the adjacent side wall of the pan Y carries a shank 56 which isdisposed through an elongated slot 51 provided lengthwise of the arm 55.This shank 56 has threaded thereon a holding or clamping nut 58.

The lower bottom portion 59 of the pan Y is also slightly raised abovethe main bottom 60 of the pan whereby is provided immediately adjacentto the bottom 69 a discharge slot 6| extending entirely across the panY. This slot 6| discharges within a hopper 62 depending from theadjacent portion of the bottom 60 and bottom portion 59 of the pan Y.The outer or discharges within a transversely disposed and downwardlyinclined chute 63 disposed trans-' versely of the framework F and hereindisclosed as supported in desired position upon a member 64 interposedbetween and suitably secured, as at 65, to the rear posts The lower endof the chute 63 discharges upon a forwardly and downwardly inclinedchute 66 which discharges within the waste chute 44 hereinbeforereferred to.

The hopper 62 of the pan Y discharges upon the upper rear portion of abottom pan Z. This pan Z is disposed on a downward and forward inclineand its rear or upper end is closed by an end wall 61 which is hingedlyconnected, as at 68, from below with the bottom portion 59 of the pan Y.Depending from the upper portion of the pan Y at each side thereof is anelongated arm 69 which extends across a side of the pan Z and theadjacent side wall 10 of the pan Z carries an outstanding shank 1| whichis directed through an elongated slot 12 in the arm 69. Coacting withthis shank 1| in a well known manner is a holding nut '12. By this meansa selected inclined adjustment of the pan Z may be'eifectivelymaintained. It is also to be pointed out that the connections betweenthe pans X and Y as afforded by the arms I! and between the pans Y and Zas afforded by the arms 69 are such as to normally maintain such pans ina rigid assembly and in desired vertically spaced relation and in amanner whereby all of the pans will be caused to reciprocate as a unitwith the top pan x.

The lower bottom portion 13 of the pan Z is slightly raised with respectto the main bottom l4 of the pan Z whereby a discharge slot 15- isprovided immediately adjacent to the bottom 14. This slot 15 extendstransversely across the pan Z and delivers within a hopper 18 dependingfrom the bottom 14 and bottom portion 13. This hopper 16 may deliverupon a suitably positioned receptacle placed therebelow or otherwise aspreferred.

The value bearing material delivered by the hopper 52 upon the upperforward end portion of the pan Y will travel downwardly of the pan Y andthe heavier material, such asgold, will fall to the bottom and pass outthrough the slot GI and be delivered upon the rear upper portion of thepan Z through the hopper 62. The lighter or waste material will passover the raised bottom portion 59 of the pan Y and be carried by thechutes 63 and 66 to the waste hopper 44. The value bearing materialdelivered upon the upper end portion of the bottom pan Z will flowdownwardly with the heavier material, such as gold, again dropping tothe bottom and passing out through the slot 15 into the hopper 16. Thewaste material will pass over the lower raised bottom portion 18 anddischarge upon the waste chute TI. This waste chute I1 is carried by arear wall of the spout 43 and discharges within said spout 43 through asuitably positioned opening 18.

All of the various parts of my improved apparatus are to be made ofmetal and the construction of such parts is such as to enable the sameto be readily and effectively assembled. It is believed to be readilyapparent from the foregoing description that the apparatus as hereindisclosed is particularly adapted for use in the recovery of fine orflour gold or other metals. This separation is efficiently accomplishedby providing the three concentrating pans X, Y and Z assembled andarranged asherein described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and it is to be further pointed out that the efficiency of theapparatus is facilitated by having each of the slots 41), GI and 15three thirtyseconds of .an inch in height.

It is also to be pointed out that the apparatus as herein disclosed isone which is relatively small in size yet without in any way minimizingits effectiveness.

To increase the efllciency of the apparatus, the upper or high endportion of each of the pans Y and Z is also provided with a water box 19into which discharges a pipe line 80 leading from a suitable source ofwater supply. The forward or lower wallBl of each of the boxes 19 isslightly spaced above the bottom 60 or 14 of the pan Y or Z to provide adischarge slot 82 extending across the pan, said slot being for the samepurpose as the slot 48 associated with the pan 48 hereinbefore referredto.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an oreseparating apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinaiter claimed.

I claim:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a supportingstructure, a pan, means for mounting the pan upon the structure forreciprocating movement, means for reciprocating the pan, a second panunderlying the first named pan, means hingedly connecting the second panat one end directly to the discharge end portion of the first pan, meansconnecting the opposite end of the second pan to the first pan, saidlast named means being so constructed and arranged as to hold the secondpan in selective vertical swinging adjustment with respect to the firstpan,

'the connections between the two pans holdin both of the pans forunitary reciprocation, the first pan in its delivery end being formed toprovide a slot extending thereacross through which the concentrates ofsaid first pan are discharged upon the. second pan, awater box forming apart of the opposite end portion of the first pan, said box having aforward wall extending across the pan and having a discharge slotimmediately adjacent to the bottom of said first pan to provide meansfor even distribution over the bottom of the pan of the waterdischarging from the box out through said slot, and means carried by thefirst pan for delivering water within the Water box.

2'. An apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of pansin superposed relation, said pans being alternately inclined in oppositedirections, means pivotally connecting the receiving end portion of alower pan to the discharge end portion of the pan immediatelythereabove, arms depending from the opposite sides of the upper pan andoverlying sides of the pan therebelow, said arms having longitudinallydisposed slots, outstanding shanks carried by the lower pan andextending through the slots of the arms, clamping members on the shanksand contacting with the arms for holding the lower pan in selectedswinging adjustment with respect to the upper pan, means coacting withthe uppermost pan for supporting all of the pans for reciprocatingmovement and means for reciprocating the pans, each of the pans havingmeans inwardly of its discharge end for discharging a portion of theconcentrates of a predetermined size, an upper pan discharging saidconcentrates of predetermined size lnto the pan immediately therebelow.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of pans insuperposed relation, said pans being alternately inclined in oppositedirections, means pivotally connecting the receiving end portion of alower pan to the discharge end portion of the pan immediatelythereabove, arms depending from the opposite sides of the upper pan andoverlying the sides of the pan therebelow, said arms havinglongitudinally disposed slots, outstanding shanks carried by the lowerpan and extending through the slots of the arms, clamping members on theshanks and contacting with the arms for holding the-lower pan ment.

4- asses-re in selected swinging adjustment with respect to the upperpan, means coacting with the uppermost pan for supporting all of thepans, each of the pans having means inwardly of its discharge end fordischarging a portion of the concentrates of a predetermined size, anupper pan discharging said concentrates of predetermined size into thepan immediately therebelow,-and means carried by the receiving endportion of each of the pane for delivering a supply 01' water to thepans.

4. An ore separator comprising a supporting structure, an elongated orepan having a floor and having an ore receiving box-at and across one endand open for discharge of ore at its other end, said box having a narrowslit extending across the pan at the level of the top surface of thefloor thereof for discharge of ore and water, means for introducingwater upwardly through and into said box, said pan floor having aportion extending from its other end inwardly separated transversely ofthe pan and raised slightly above the remainder of the floor to form anarrow slit for the escape of ore particles of a predetermined size,means supporting the pan for reciprocal movement, and means connectedwith the pan for effecting such move- 10 the first pan, the box end ofthe second pan being elevated to a close proximity with the bottom ofthe first pan and disposed directly beneath the said slit in the floorof the first pan to receive the ore particles therefrom, a hinge 15connecting the elevated end of the second pan with the bottom of thefirst pan for vertical swinging of the discharge end of the second pan,an adjustable coupling between the discharge and of the second pan andthe first pan, and a go hopper carried upon the under side of the floorof the first pan to receive ore particles from the said slit thereof anddirect the same into the box of the second pan.

JOHN F. KELLERMAN.

